The Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby are an historic, continuing corporate body made up of people who are entitled as the town’s freemen (descendants/continuations of the old borough “burgesses”). They’re organised today as a charitable body that looks after certain lands, trusts and local traditions. 

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Their legal/charitable role: The freemen operate under historic charters and modern governing instruments (often referred to as the Grimsby Pastures arrangements) and are registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales. Part of their role is managing land and funds for the benefit of enrolled freemen and the community. 

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Connection to Freeman Street and the Market: The Enrolled Freemen own and manage Freeman Street land and are the owners/owners-operators behind Freeman Street Market. The market site and the market organisation are run under that ownership/oversight — Freeman Street Market explicitly states it is owned by the Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby and celebrates a long history of trading on the site (market established 1873).

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What they do for the market today: They act as custodians/landlords and organisers — preserving the market’s heritage, running events, letting stalls, and supporting community activity in the market hall. The market’s public-facing website and newsletters make clear the market is part of the freemen’s community work.

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